Gas chambered musical instrument

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to musical string struments improved with hermeticaly sealed gas chamber or chambers to produce novel sound effects.

United States Patent 1191 Prochilo 1 Oct. 22, 1974 [54] v GAS CHAMBERED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT 1.1911 16 9/1910 Floyd 1. 114 294 2. 5 1 A. 84 291 [761 memo" Pmhllo, Dims 5.227.923 84/143 )1 Ave, Lynbrook 11563 3.590.680 7/1971 Carnes....'. 84/419 [22] Filed: Oct. 9, 1973 [21] 1 App]. No: 404,714 Primary Examiner-Lawrence R. Franklin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Frank Makara [52] U.S. Cl 84/267, 84/275, 84/291, I

84/294, 84/296 [51] Int. Cl. 1. Gl0d l/08 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 84/267, 271, 290, 291,

84/294, 296, 173, 275 This invention relates to musical string struments improved with hermeticaly sealed gas chamber or cham- [56] References Cfled bers to produce novel sound effects.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 591,288 10/1897 6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures McLaughlin 84/271 GAS CHAMBERED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT As a statement of the invention, a novel scientific principle is applied to string instruments to produce sound vibrations of various tonal qualities. Air consists of about per cent oxygen and 79 per cent nitrogen and l per cent of a mixture of gases including carbon dioxide and rare gases of an inert chemical nature such as helium, neon, argon, etc. Since the molecular weight of each pure gas is different as well as the structure of the molecules themselves, the passage of sound waves through such pure gases produces different effects on the ear drum. According to this invention, the resonance chamber of the conventional string instrument is provided with a gas sealed inner chamber filled with a specific gas or prepared mixture of gases. The gas containing chamber may be made by the use of a suitable gas bag made to conform to the inner wall surfaces of the resonance chamber. Thus the conventional apertures or aperture are sealed off by a portion of said gas bag or container. Alternately, the resonance chamber may be spray coated with a gas sealant plastic material such as polyethelyene, polyvinyl chloride, etc. in suitable formulations, and the apertures sealed over with a patch of said material.

This invention is disclosed herein by means of a plurality of embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawing in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a guitar provided with a resonance chamber embracing gas bag or container and showing a gas valve protruding through the instrument wall and connected to a gas cylinder,

FIG. 2a is a section view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1 and showing the closed or laminated relationship of the gas container to the inner wall surface of the guitar,

FIG. 2b is a modification of FIG. 1, wherein 2 coacting left and right gas containers are used, each filled with a different gas, said containers equally engaging each other diametrically under circular aperture of the guitar,

FIG. 3 is a section view of a conventional gas valve usable in this invention,

FIG. 4a is an outline diagram of the means of filling a single celled instrument, and,

FIG. 4b is an outline diagram of the means of filling a dual celled instrument.

Turning to the drawing, a string instrument such as a guitar 10 having a single aperture 11 is provided with a form-fitting gas impervious inner chamber of suitable plastic or rubber and filled with a specific gas or gases.

The instrument may be a violin of the like having more than one aperture. The gas mixture may be of special formulation to produce novel sound. The gas container portion underneath the aperture 11 is taut or gas stretched to form a vibratory film 12A.

ln the modification shown in 2b, two plastic gas containing cells of like configuration are provided with a unitary medial wall 15 impervious to gas molecules. Thus each container 13 and 14 may be filled with a different gas to give a novel harmonious sound.

The guitar 10 is provided with a sealcd-in-place valve 16 which protrudes through an opening in the guitar body side wall. A conventional guage 17 is detachably attached to the instrument, so that it may be removed when the instrument is in use. The valve 16 may be a three-way valve or even a four-way valve so that it may be used as a relief valve if desired.

The gases usable in this invention are any of the stable or inert gas and include among others, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, argon, helium, etc. These gases are used alone or in suitable mixtures thereof to produce desired sound effects. The pressure used may vary within a wide range over the atmospheric pressure. The gas is provided from a conventional gas cylinder 20 having a conventional gas regulator 21 and guage 22.

4. The instrument of claim 1 having valve means thereon to introduce gas under suitable pressure.

5. In a string instrument having an apertured resonant chamber the improvement comprising a spray coating on the resonant chamber walls of gas impervious quality, and a suitable plastic covering piece or patch secured in gas sealed relationship to said coating to form a substantially integral gas chamber.

6. The instrument of claim 5 having valve means for introducing gas under suitable pressure. 

1. In a musical instrument having strings and an apertured resonant chamber the improvement comprising adding to said chamber in substitute relationship a plastic container for retaining gas and adapted to engage the resonant chamber wall surfaces in continous laminated relationship.
 2. The instrument of claim 1 wherein said container is provided with a plurality of separated cells each adapted to contain a specific gas.
 3. The instrument of claim 2 having a medial wall adapted for location beneath the instrument aperture.
 4. The instrument of claim 1 having valve means thereon to introduce gas under suitable pressure.
 5. In a string instrument having an apertured resonant chamber the improvement comprising a spray coating on the resonant chamber walls of gas impervious quality, and a suitable plastic covering piece or patch secured in gas sealed relationship to said coating to form a substantially integral gas chamber.
 6. The instrument of claim 5 having valve means for introducing gas under suitable pressure. 